Voter Guide for Florida’s Amendments & South Florida’s Referendums
Bottom Line: Election Day is here! Throughout the course of this cycle, I’ve covered Florida’s three proposed constitutional amendments, Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach County’s referendums and judges up for retention votes. For those who are going to the polls today, here’s a summation of all of those issues and my recommendations.
Florida’s Proposed Constitutional Amendments:
No. 1 Constitutional Amendment
BALLOT TITLE: LIMITATION ON THE ASSESSMENT OF REAL PROPERTY USED FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES
Recommendation: This proposed amendment effectively ties up the loose ends from 2008’s approved Constitutional Amendment, providing a net benefit to those who take measures to mitigate flood risks to their homes. It does so without having a punitive impact on other property owners who don’t take similar measures, which is a key consideration for me when evaluating property taxation policy. For those reasons I recommend a Yes vote on Amendment 1.
No. 2 Constitutional Amendment
BALLOT TITLE: ABOLISHING THE CONSTITUTION REVISION COMMISSION.
Recommendation: As mentioned in the ballot language, there would still be a few ways in which a proposed constitutional amendment can make its way to our ballots. The two most common, those proposed by the state legislature, as this proposal has been presented, and citizen led initiatives. Both are far more directly accountable to voters than an unelected body gathering every 20 years. For those reasons I recommend a Yes vote on Amendment 2.
No. 3 Constitutional Amendment
BALLOT TITLE: ADDITIONAL HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR SPECIFIED CRITICAL PUBLIC SERVICES WORKFORCE.
Recommendation: As property tax revenue is eliminated for specific classes of homeowners, it places a disproportionate burden on all others paying property taxes. This could lead to higher assessed mileage rates than would otherwise be necessary, creating additional long-term affordability concerns for those not in these protected classes. Those most negatively impacted would be renters, where affordability challenges are already extensive, and seniors on fixed incomes.
For those reasons I recommend a No vote on Amendment 3.
BALLOT TITLE: AMENDS COUNTY CHARTER TO BE CONSISTENT WITH CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND SPECIAL LAW REGARDING COUNTY OFFICES
Recommendation: There’s no disputing the need for Broward’s charter to be brought in line with Florida Constitutional law. For that reason, I recommend a Yes vote on this referendum.
BALLOT TITLE: AMENDS COUNTY CHARTER TO CONSOLIDATE CENTRAL EXAMINING BOARDS AND TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY WITH STATE LAW
Recommendation: The net effect of this would be a more streamlined local government for all county matters pertaining to the trades. This should be of benefit not only to county officials but also those working within the trades in Broward. For these reasons I recommend a Yes vote on this referendum.
Miami-Dade's Ballot Referendums:
BALLOT TITLE: Charter Amendment Creating Local Oath of Office for County Commissioners and the County Mayor
Recommendation: These officials are already directly accountable to voters – they should be able to serve as they see fit. For these reasons I recommend a No vote.
BALLOT TITLE: Charter Amendment Requiring Voter Approval for Changes to Governing Structure of County Transportation Assets
Recommendation: While I have concerns regarding the county’s handling of these entities, having local control allows for accountability at the local level by voters. For that reason, I recommend a Yes vote on this referendum.
BALLOT TITLE: Referendum to Approve Ad Valorem Levy for Teachers, Instructional Personnel, Student Safety and Security
Recommendation: Miami-Dade's property taxes are already the highest in the state, and with record property tax assessments, the country is continuing to reap windfall amounts of tax dollars. The School District will already reap the benefit of records sums of money following in without this special tax. The District needs to learn how to do more with the record sums of money. Housing affordability is already at crisis levels in the county and this referendum would do nothing but exacerbate those issues. For these reasons I recommend a No vote on this referendum.
Palm Beach County’s 2022 November Ballot Referendums
BALLOT TITLE: INCREASE WORKFORCE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS TO ADDRESS RISING HOUSING COSTS
Recommendation: Let’s be clear what happens here if this were to be approved by residents of Palm Beach County. The commission would be able to take out $200 million in debt, which we as residents are on the hook for paying back, without any meaningful restrictions for use other than for it to go to housing projects. For these reasons I recommend a vote Against Bonds.
BALLOT TITLE: REFERENDUM TO CONTINUE AD VALOREM LEVY FOR SCHOOL SAFETY, TEACHERS AND OPERATIONAL NEEDS
Recommendation: The fact of the matter is that with an average property tax assessment at greater than 15% this year, residents of Palm Beach County are experiencing maximum property tax increases yet again this year. That means a record windfall of revenue for the Palm Beach County School District (again). This tax isn’t needed by the school district, and what’s more, with a housing affordability crisis for many already, this simply places additional pressure on already stretched residents. For these reasons I recommend a No vote on this referendum.